Climate Change and Sustainability Manager

Overview

As a Manager in UKEF’s Climate Change and Sustainability team, you will play a key role implementing UKEF’s Sustainability Strategy 2024-29, while leading UKEF’s international climate and sustainability engagement.

You will advise the department’s senior leadership, Ministers, Board and Export Guarantee Advisory Council on key climate change and sustainability issues, including through drafting high quality and robust briefing and advice.

You will represent UKEF externally, including internationally, managing strategic alliances, and overseeing projects that advance clean growth, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

You will have line management responsibility for 1 x Senior Policy Adviser (SEO).

Main Activities

• International Climate and Sustainability Engagement – NZECA
  • Lead UKEF’s international climate and sustainability engagement.
  • Manage UKEF’s chairmanship of the Net Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA), supporting the Deputy Director and CEO.
  • Set and manage the Alliance’s strategic direction in collaboration with the UN Secretariat and member ECAs.
  • Lead one or more NZECA work tracks and international outreach to expand membership and deliver the Alliance’s workplan.
  • Oversee contributions from CC&S team members, including task management of one SEO.
• Broader International Engagement
  • Work with UKEF’s International Relations and Environmental & Social teams to maintain UKEF’s leadership among ECAs on sustainability.
  • Ensure UKEF’s interests on climate and sustainability issues are represented effectively at international fora beyond NZECA, e.g. OECD and Export Finance for Future (E3F).
  • Plan and deliver a programme of bilateral engagement with ECAs and international institutions.
  • Manage delivery of UKEF’s annual UNFCCC COP programme.
• Sustainability Strategy Implementation

  Drive delivery of UKEF’s Sustainability Strategy (2024–29) and Business Plan objectives through:

  • Transition: Develop UKEF’s approach to supporting exporters through the global low-carbon transition. Support transition product and policy development, including UKEF’s own Transition Plan.
  • Clean Growth: Deliver UKEF’s clean growth ambition (£10bn by 2029) by: providing transparent data and reporting for senior management; further developing UKEF’s policy and practice in clean growth sectors, including updating financing frameworks in line with international best practice.
  • Nature & Biodiversity: Develop UKEF’s strategic approach to nature and biodiversity, including exploring nature-related KPIs and how UKEF can support sustainable management of natural resources and land use.
  • Change management: Champion and deliver change management across UKEF to embed sustainability objectives.
• Briefings, Communications & Cross-Government Engagement
  • Prepare high-quality briefings, submissions, and presentations for senior stakeholders.
  • Develop and disseminate communications to keep staff and stakeholders informed of key developments.
  • Contribute to cross-Government strategy and policy development on climate change and sustainable development.
  • Support ad hoc projects and tasks as required.
• Leadership & Team Management
  • Provide leadership, line management, and development for team members.
  • Contribute to the work of the wider team and department as needed, including building and maintaining a strong culture of valuing diversity and inclusion.
  • Work closely with colleagues across the department and in other government departments, other Export Credit Agencies and international institutions, financial institutions, civil society and business stakeholders.

Person Specification:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
• Understanding of climate change and/or sustainability issues
• Up to date understanding of relevant Government priorities
• Understanding of the UK export and/or wider business policy landscape
• Strategic thinker with an analytical and pragmatic approach to problem- solving
• Ability to work collaboratively with others across a complex internal and external stakeholder landscape
• Outstanding relationship-building and influencing skills, with a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build consensus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate with confidence